Reds unveil hidden tribute to Perez’s 1975 World Series heroics

The Cincinnati Reds have identified a concealed detail associated with the Tony Perez statue situated outside Great American Ball Park. The installation, created by artist Tom Tsuchiya, involves a replica baseball positioned on the roof of the Current at The Banks apartment building, directly across Joe Nuxhall Way from the statue.

The replica simulates Perez’s two-run home run over the Green Monster during Game 7 of the 1975 World Series against the Boston Red Sox. This pivotal moment helped the Reds secure a 4-3 victory, marking a significant chapter in the franchise’s history. The object is designed to appear as if the ball sailed from the statue’s location to the building across the street.

Tsuchiya, who sculpted the gallery of bronze statues featuring Pete Rose, Joe Nuxhall, Joe Morgan, and Johnny Bench, selected foam coated in plastic for the replica ball. This material choice was made to mitigate safety risks, ensuring that the object would not cause injury if it were to detach and fall from the roof.

The hidden element, described by the artist as an "Easter egg," is intended to be difficult to spot without close inspection. Tsuchiya noted that while some fans are aware of the detail, the majority remain unaware, adding to the intrigue. He cited the desire to emphasize Perez’s major role in this historic event as the primary motivation for the installation.

Perez, a seven-time All-Star and member of the "Big Red Machine" that won back-to-back World Series titles in 1975 and 1976, played for the Reds from 1964 to 1976 and again from 1984 to 1986. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000. The statue itself, unveiled in 2015, captures the moment of the home run. Tsuchiya also noted a separate hidden detail on the Pete Rose statue, featuring a carved figure of "Rosie Red" on the statue's backside.